Meaning
The kanji 巡 (jun, megu.ru) primarily conveys the sense of “going around,” “circulating,” “patrolling,” or “touring.” It implies movement that is not linear but rather covers an area, often returning to a starting point or following a circuitous route. This can refer to physical movement, such as a police officer patrolling their beat or a traveler touring the world, but also to abstract concepts like the circulation of blood or the recurrence of seasons.
Its origin traces back to two elements. The radical 廴 (ennyou) signifies a “long stride” or “to advance.” The other component, 巛, originally depicted a “river” or something flowing. Together, these elements suggest the idea of “taking long strides around” or “moving along a winding path like a river.” This visual connection effectively conveys the core meaning of continuous, often circular, movement or observation within an area.
With a stroke count of 6, 巡 is a relatively simple kanji in terms of structure, yet its meanings are rich and varied. It is classified under the N1 level of the JLPT, indicating its advanced usage in Japanese. While it is a Jōyō kanji, it doesn't have a specific grade level for elementary school instruction.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi for 巡 is derived from its historical pronunciation in Chinese and is typically used when the kanji forms part of a compound word, often alongside other kanji.
- ジュン (jun)
This reading appears in many formal and compound words, especially those related to patrolling, touring, or sequential order. It often implies a systematic or official movement around an area.
- 巡礼 (junrei) — pilgrimage; a religious journey, often involving visiting multiple sacred sites.
- 巡査 (junsa) — police officer; specifically, a patrolman who moves around their assigned area.
- 巡航 (junkou) — cruise; the act of sailing around an area, often for pleasure or reconnaissance.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi readings are native Japanese words that have been assigned to the kanji, reflecting its core meanings in a more direct and often grammatical way.
- めぐ.る (megu.ru)
This is an intransitive verb meaning “to go around,” “to circulate,” “to recur,” or “to revolve.” It describes something that itself performs the action of moving in a circuit.
世界を巡る (sekai o meguru) — to travel around the world.
季節が巡る (kisetsu ga meguru) — seasons turn/recur.
血が巡る (chi ga meguru) — blood circulates.
めぐ.らす (megu.rasu)
This is a transitive verb meaning “to make go around,” “to encircle,” or “to revolve (thoughts).” It implies causing something to move in a circuit or engaging in a deep, circular process of thought.
頭を巡らす (atama o megurasu) — to rack one's brains, to ponder deeply.
思考を巡らす (shikou o megurasu) — to think deeply about something, to ponder various aspects.
周囲に目を巡らす (shūi ni me o megurasu) — to look around one's surroundings.
めぐ.り (megu.ri)
This is a noun form derived from the verb, meaning “a round,” “a tour,” “circulation,” or “a turn.”
- 星の巡り (hoshi no meguri) — the orbit of a star, the movement of celestial bodies.
- 世の巡り (yo no meguri) — the turn of events, the course of the world/times.
- 旅の巡り (tabi no meguri) — the itinerary or route of a trip.
Common Words & Compounds
Below are more common words and compounds using 巡, organized by their thematic connections. These examples illustrate the kanji's versatility.
Movement & Travel:
巡回 (junkai) — tour, patrol, circuit; moving around a designated area.
巡業 (jungyou) — touring performance; a series of performances in various locations.
巡航船 (junkousen) — cruise ship; a vessel designed for pleasure trips around various destinations.
巡礼者 (junreisha) — pilgrim; a person undertaking a religious journey.
巡る旅 (meguru tabi) — a journey around (somewhere).
Police & Security:
巡邏 (junra) — patrol; often refers to a guard or police patrol, typically formal or slightly archaic.
巡邏隊 (junratai) — patrol unit/squad.
警邏 (keira) — police patrol (similar to 巡邏 but often implies active surveillance).
Circulation & Recurrence:
巡り合わせ (meguri awase) — fate, chance encounter; literally, a "chance turning."
四季の巡り (shiki no meguri) — the cycle of the four seasons.
星の巡り会わせ (hoshi no meguri awase) — cosmic alignment, fortunate chance.
Abstract & Figurative Use:
巡察 (junsatsu) — inspection tour; an official tour to inspect various places.
巡見 (junken) — similar to 巡察, an inspection or observation tour.
Example Sentences
お巡りさんが毎日、この地域を巡回しています。
Omawarisan ga mainichi, kono chiiki o junkai shiteimasu.
A police officer patrols this area every day.
世界中を巡る旅に出るのが私の夢です。
Sekaijū o meguru tabi ni deru no ga watashi no yume desu.
It's my dream to go on a trip around the world.
血の巡りを良くするために、運動が大切です。
Chi no meguri o yoku suru tame ni, undō ga taisetsu desu.
Exercise is important for good blood circulation.
私たちは日本の歴史的な町並みを巡るツアーに参加しました。
Watashitachi wa Nihon no rekishiteki na machinami o meguru tsuā ni sanka shimashita.
We participated in a tour visiting historical townscapes of Japan.
人生では、予期せぬ巡り合わせが多くあります。
Jinsei dewa, yoki senu meguri awase ga ooku arimasu.
In life, there are many unexpected encounters.
この船は地中海を巡航する豪華客船です。
Kono fune wa Chichūkai o junkō suru gōka kyakusen desu.
This ship is a luxury liner cruising the Mediterranean Sea.
問題の解決策を見つけるために、頭を巡らす必要がある。
Mondai no kaiketsusaku o mitsukeru tame ni, atama o megurasu hitsuyō ga aru.
We need to rack our brains to find a solution to the problem.
彼は歴史の様々な局面を巡りながら、その意味を考えた。
Kare wa rekishi no samazama na kyokumen o megurinagara, sono imi o kangaeta.
He pondered the meaning while going through various phases of history.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 巡, think of it as a person taking long strides to go around or patrol. The radical 廴 (ennyou) on the left means "long stride" or "to advance." The right part looks somewhat like 巾 (kin - cloth) or a simplified 己 (ki - oneself). You can imagine it as something that helps delineate a path or a boundary being walked. Picture a patrolman (implied by the long stride) walking their beat, making a circuit, or going 'around' the designated area. The action of 'turning' or 'going around' is the key here, facilitated by the 'long stride' component.